PolyU research projects awarded UGC funding
The University has recently been awarded funding from the University Grants Committee (UGC) for five research projects, covering topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic, smart buildings, energy storage, as well as live-cell and animal tissue imaging. The total funding granted exceeds HK$26 million.
One-off Collaborative Research Fund Exercise Group Research
Professor Hao Jianhua Department of Applied Physics | Multi-level synergistic COVID-19 point-of-care diagnostics based on upconversion luminescence biosensing platform (HK$8,408,102)
A diagnostics platform will be designed and fabricated to enable multi-level analysis of characteristic genes, antigens and antibodies of SARS-CoV-2. The analysis will provide new insights into sensing techniques for SARS-CoV-2 biomarker detection. As a tool to guide clinical treatment, infection control and vaccine development, this platform can facilitate rapid, low-cost and highly accurate diagnosis.
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Dr Horace Mui Kwok-wai Department of Building Services Engineering | Effective ventilation strategies for mitigating infection risks in hospitals (HK$4,429,517)
Computational modelling of expiratory droplet dispersion, transportation and deposition will be employed to evaluate the infection risk in hospitals. The risk of exposure to respiratory viruses SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 will be explored and an exposure assessment indicator will be developed. The findings will help develop strategic ventilation proposals for hospitals, balancing cross-infection risk and energy consumption. |
Collaborative Research Fund 2020/21 - Collaborative Research Project Grant
Professor Wang Shengwei Department of Building Services Engineering | Development of next-generation key technologies for smart buildings (HK$5,840,000)
On the basis of emerging information technology, data science and distributed real-time optimisation, this project will adopt an interdisciplinary approach to advance building automation technologies for next-generation smart buildings by means of energy system real-time control optimisation and diagnosis as well as IoT-enabled building automation. It will develop advanced technologies and engineering tools that define the next generation of smart buildings, tapping into the potential of a major increase in energy efficiency and distributed intelligence.
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Professor Ni Meng Department of Building and Real Estate | Durable and high-performance zinc-air flow batteries for energy storage (HK$4,200,000)
This project will investigate the effects of flowing electrolyte on the chemical and physical processes of the zinc electrode and air electrode. Advanced in-situ visualisation techniques and ex-situ characterisations will be applied, and electrochemical tests will be conducted. New electrode materials will also be explored. The project will contribute to the development of high-performance and durable batteries for energy storage. |
Collaborative Research Fund 2020/21 - Collaborative Research Equipment Grant
Professor Thomas Leung Yun-chung University Research Facility in Life Sciences | A super-resolution fluorescence microscopy platform for live-cell and animal-tissue imaging (HK$3,577,125)
It is a proposal to acquire a stimulated emission depletion microscope for the University Research Facility in Life Sciences. Its features include multiple depletion lasers to improve fluorescent dye compatibility, time-gated signal detection to improve lateral resolution, and an additional depletion light path to improve axial resolution. This super-resolution microscope will support research in cell and cancer biology, as well as neuroscience and neurological diseases.
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Through its interdisciplinary research, PolyU is dedicated to expanding knowledge, addressing societal needs and making a positive impact on the world.